Clare set out on wrong foot

Clare have fond memories of playing Cork in Ennis, but indiscipline in the side has hampered preparations for todays Munster semi-final

THE last time Cork arrived in Cusack Park in Ennis for a Munster semi-final in 1997, they had no reason to underestimate Clare. The sides had met in one of the best games of the decade the previous year when Cork won in controversial circumstances after extra-time in a replay. A late winning Martin Daly goal ensured that Cork would never underestimate them again, but memories of those days seem like a lifetime ago now.

Clare were unlucky against Cork in the 2001 championship but they have struggled ever since. They finally looked to have turned a corner last season when they walloped Sligo in the first round of the qualifiers. They lost to Cork by four points in the next round but then won the Tommy Murphy Cup. But nstead of going forward, Clare have gone backwards.

Indiscipline has been a huge factor. Mark O’Connell, Brendan Crowley and Denis